Key Club president enthusiastic about projects

Jollene Martin

Jollene Martin

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Jollene Martin's list of and enthusiasm for charitable works undertaken by the Key Club at Franklin County Career and Technology Center grows as time goes by.

The 16-year-old doesn't hesitate when asked why she invests so much time into the causes, saying that it's all about giving back to the community.

"The community gives us so much - our schools, our roads, our houses ..." Jollene said.

As president of the Key Club, Jollene has worked with the other members to raise money for March of Dimes and the fight against cystic fibrosis.

They have cleaned up area parks and were planning a mock accident to raise awareness about drunken driving.

Recently, the Key Club joined with other Franklin County Career and Technology Center organizations to send pillowcases and toiletries to a military hospital in Iraq.

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The pillowcases featured characters such as Spider-Man and Superman.

"Every patient loved the concept of it because they felt they had heroes and were heroes," Jollene said.

The project started with e-mail correspondence and gained momentum when soldiers started asking to take pillowcases home with them from the hospital, Jollene said.

In addition to the 66 pillowcases, the students from Key Club, Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) and Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) joined with teachers to send toiletries such as shampoo, deodorant, shaving cream and toothbrushes.

The students raised money, primarily from their classmates, using an informational table in the cafeteria. Marketing students created a display.

"They didn't understand it, so we talked about it more," Jollene said. "They said it was really good we were helping our troops."

Jollene said the number of teenagers helping out made gathering and packaging the materials easy, and the work was done in shifts.

"Our troops are over there and getting hurt over there, trying to save another country. They're risking their lives. ... It's a way of saying 'Thanks for being our hero,'" she said.

Members of the FCCTC Key Club, like others from Key Club International, can transition into the Kiwanis Club, Jollene said.

She joined other Key Club students at a Pittsburgh conference in March and was impressed by motivational speakers, especially the one who talked about the club's response to Hurricane Katrina.

Q&A

Name: Jollene Martin

Hometown: Chambersburg, Pa.

Occupation: Junior at Chambersburg Area Senior High School and Franklin County Career and Technology Center

What was your proudest moment?: Being recognized as the "Unsung Hero" in the 2005-06 school year.

Whom do you most admire, and why?: Key Club adviser Pat Domenick, who "does so much. She's kind of an inspiration that makes me want to do more."

What is the best piece of advice you ever received and who gave it to you?: "Work as hard as you possibly can and never give up and always give back."

What is the next goal you would like to achieve?: She wanted to raise money and sign up walkers for a March of Dimes event.